Watch: Reckless Stunt for Views Could Land YouTuber in Prison for 20 Years

The FAA accused the Youtuber of intentionally destroying the wreckage and hiding it from federal investigators.

The video titled 'I Crashed My Plane' features YouTuber Trevor Jacob using a selfie stick to record himself as he jumps out of a single-engine airplane while using a parachute.

YouTuber Faces 20-Year Sentence for Staging Plane Crash Video

US authorities have revealed that a YouTuber, Trevor Jacob, who intentionally caused his plane to crash to gain views, could face up to 20 years in prison. According to The Guardian, Jacob has admitted to one count of destruction and concealment with the aim of obstructing a federal investigation, which is a crime that carries a maximum sentence of two decades in a federal prison. The video in which he staged the plane crash has garnered three million views.

Jacob's Pilot Certificate Revoked After Staging Plane Crash for Video

YouTuber Trevor Jacob had his private pilot certificate revoked by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after purposely crashing a small single-engine plane in California's Los Padres national forest in December 2021.

The FAA accused Jacob of intentionally destroying the wreckage and hiding it from federal investigators. The incident was filmed in a video titled 'I Crashed My Plane', which shows Jacob parachuting out of the aircraft with a selfie stick in hand.

Aviation enthusiasts initially doubted the crash's authenticity, but the FAA found it suspicious that Jacob was wearing a parachute, did not contact air traffic control on the emergency frequency, did not attempt to restart the engine, and did not try to find a place to land. The FAA also stated that Jacob disposed of the wreckage after the crash.

Jacob has agreed to plead guilty to one count of destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Jacob Admits Intent to Stage Plane Crash, to Enter Plea in LA

According to the plea agreement, Trevor Jacob, the YouTuber who staged a plane crash for views, admitted that he never intended to complete his solo flight from Lompoc airport to Mammoth Lakes. He describes himself as an experienced pilot and skydiver. Jacob is expected to enter his plea in Los Angeles soon and will be sentenced at a later date.